WHY I TRI

From a fear of lakes to organising the Woburner through Tri for Life, Marcus Anselm has been on quite a journey

Race organiser, Marcus Anselm

I was once waiting with a friend before he participated in a triathlon, and he was really excited about trying to complete it. It felt way out of my league, though – I remember stressing about the idea of swimming 400m in a lake! But that moment instilled in me a real sense of challenge. Since then, I’ve done 10 half-Ironmans and a full one. Mind you, I still have butterflies before the swim!

I train six to eight times a week. I’ve got a full-on job and three kids, but the discipline needed for triathlon can be applied to all aspects of your life. It gives you the focus to achieve goals, even in a work environment, and you learn not to take no for an answer.

About 11 years ago, a relative was over for dinner. He had this idea to create a triathlon charity, and asked if I’d get involved. Within a very short time of me getting on board, he was diagnosed with cancer, and soon after our first event at Dorney Lake, he passed away. I had to make a choice about whether to let the charity go or continue with it. In that first event, we had 200-300 participants, but it felt like there was something there. We’ve now built the Woburn Abbey Triathlon, and work alongside event organisers Human Race to deliver it every September. It’s grown from 200 to 2,000 competitors, and covers a whole weekend [8-9 Sep].

All ages and abilities take part – from children and first-timers in the super sprint, to the more experienced in the middle [the 220 Triathlon- sponsored WoBurner]. Our current charity partners, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Melanoma Focus, encourage people to enter and raise sponsorship; any profit from us goes back to them.

The 220 Triathlon WoBurner is the perfect first-time middle distance. It’s still lesser known in the industry, which makes it an exciting opportunity to experience quality event delivery in a smaller field. Our vision is to create a must-do race, and showcase the great combination of charity fundraising and endurance challenges.

“The discipline needed for tri can be applied to all aspects of life”

For me, the highlight of my competitive career was becoming an Ironman in Austria. The hardest part was 10 miles into the run – it was getting late, my stomach had started doing strange things, and I realised I still had 16 miles left!

As for Tri For Life, standing at the finish line watching people complete the race and handing out medals is a real thrill. Those few hours every September make the rest of the year worthwhile – that’s a better feeling than any other.

Want to take part in this year’s Woburn Abbey Triathlon on 8-9 September and raise money for a great cause? Head to humanrace.co.uk to sign up today.